Golf

I’ve heard about the Superintendent’s Revenge golf tournament for years, but I’ve never played in one.
Basically, the golf course is set up to be as hard as possible with some crazy twists. The pin may be tucked behind a deep bunker or all the way back with a big pond to carry. Or worse yet, right on the ridgeline of a two-level green. The greens may be double cut to roll at a 12 on the Stimpmeter (a device that measures the quickness of a green). The higher the number, the faster the green. Twelve is very, very fast.

Years ago, when I worked as a journalist in New Jersey, a photographer went with me on my assignments. Jean Bateman was a registered nurse by profession but photography was her real love. She had several cameras (real film, in those days), had taken many courses in photography and had won awards for her work.
So off we went, photographing restaurants, parks, businesses, horse shows, racetracks, wineries and various craftsmen and artists for my feature articles. Because Jean loved her work, she enjoyed sharing her expertise with me.

Dale Ketola grew up in Greenwood, S.C. His earliest golf memories are of hitting balls in the large backyard of his parents’ home.
“Once my parents determined that my brother and I had an active and continuing interest in playing the game, they got us a junior membership that allowed us to play golf from morning until night at several courses,” Ketola said last week as we chatted on the range at Farmstead.

I got the news from the Carolinas PGA. In February, Peggy Kirk Bell will be the first woman inducted into the Carolinas PGA Hall of Fame.
This is huge and I am proud to say my family has a wonderful connection to Peggy, her family and their Pine Needles Resort and Country Club in Pinehurst.
First, let me tell you about this beautiful, gifted and gracious woman.

I am the luckiest person in the world. This chicken farmer’s daughter from rural Maryland grew up to become a college graduate, a wife, a mother, a grandmother, a golfer and a writer. Best of all: a golf writer for the Brunswick Beacon.
How cool is that? My dreams have all come true.

Compared with football, basketball and ice hockey, golf is a genteel, stately sport.
Golfers don’t crash into each other trying to get the ball into the hole. There are no referees on the links. Golfers are expected to know the rules of golf and to follow them.
But that doesn’t mean there are no dangers. You can get hurt playing golf. Obviously, golfers need to be careful of snakes, alligators and fire ants in this area, but they also need to be careful of other golfers and Mother Nature.
Let me explain.

The First Tee of Brunswick County received its charter in 2005. I was lucky enough to be involved with the program for six years, serving on the board of directors and handling its public relations.
The program impressed me from the start.

Armed with a ready smile, a welcoming attitude and a willingness to help in any way he can, Jimmy Biggs, the PGA pro at Crow Creek, always makes sure golfers have a great time at their golf course.
“It’s more than just golf, although we have a great course here. Golfers need to feel welcome when they come to play, whether they are members or visitors,” Biggs said as we chatted last week in his office at Crow Creek.

On July 30, Kelly Tilghman and Charlie Rymer, broadcasters for the Golf Channel and hosts of “Morning Drive,” made a surprise visit to the North Carolina Life Skills and Leadership Academy at Cinghiale Creek, home of The First Tee of Brunswick County.